I know Rags are used a lot for big nates, but I was wondering if they are also productive on hatchery brats? If yes, What colors are best? Do you use them with bait or by themselves?

Thanks in advance!!!

ABSOLUTELY!!!!
I've scored on at least a couple dozen brats this year with the rag. However, try and use it only when the waters a bit colored. When visibility is around 1-4 ft. I throw the rag or pink worm exclusively. The nooch has been extremely rag friendly for brats this season. I always fish mine with eggs and seem to have good success with that method. I made up a hundred or so last weekend (pink, orange, chartruese). Killer colors.....
Cuttie

YES,I use rag's and sandshrimp most of the time for either,brats or nates.If I told you my go to color then I'd have to shoot you.The combinations are endless.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Ok, here's an older image that might help you out.



Fortunately, I keep these around for future use!

Sorry Todd, but I let this girl go. She probably spawned in the wild, which makes me personabley responsible for the decline of all the wild fish in the Quilyute system!

Why would you wear a Doo Rag when fishing for steelhead? are you Dion Sanders :-)

Yes, Especiall in not very clear water.

They work fine in the low and clear stuff just as well same as the wormies.

Sometimes the subtle colors are a better bet in the low and clear conditions though as parker showed me once, but on Nates I have never seen them shy away from the bright colors.

My biggest Steelie came in Feb 14th in gin clear water up to 12' of vis with a dark roe / oregon cheese rag and sand shrimp.It was 21.5lb's.That is a pretty loud rag in those condition's but like richg said you may want to go suttle.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

My fav is the Cerise/light orange or Cerise/shrimp pink.

I will only use the subtle ones in the low clear conditions if I know fish are around and not chewing on the loud ones, but I always fish the loud ones first.

Hatchery fish fellas, Hatchery fish. We all know that a nate will eat anything that floats within 20 feet of its face (sponges, toilet paper rolls, ciggarettes, feces, etc) Hatchery fish tend to shy away from big and bright presentations in clearer water. However, maybe just tone down the colors like Rich said. I made up some black and red ones and am waiting for the water to clear up and test that theory......
Cuttie

Never seemed to matter much how big or bright, high or low, clear or collored, bait/scent or not. The only thing I have found to really matter is if there are fish around and if they are on the bite.

I gues the OP brats could be different than brats in other places.